Saturday, 27 January 2018

080 - Sheranwala Bagh In Gujranwala

Gujranwala is a comparatively new city, but it possesses a rich history along with a significant cultural and historical heritage. During the Mughal period, Gujranwala was an insignificant settlement، if it existed at all. The main towns in the area at that time were Hafizabad and Eminabad. The site where Gujranwala now stands was part of the Eminabad Pargana.

During the chaotic period following the decline of Mughal authority in Punjab, Charat Singh, the chief of the Sukerchakia Misl, made Gujranwala his headquarters from 1765 until his death in 1773. He and his son Maha Singh gradually expanded this small state over the coming decades. Ranjit Singh, who was born in Gujranwala in 1780, transformed it into a powerful kingdom during his reign, which lasted until 1839.

Although Ranjit Singh moved his capital to Lahore in 1799, Gujranwala remained an important town and made significant progress during his rule. The famous Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa was also a resident of Gujranwala and played a key role in its development. The subject of this post, Sheranwala Bagh, was likely developed by him.

Sheranwala Bagh is located in the center of Gujranwala, adjacent to the famous GT Road, at coordinates 32° 9'21.04"N, 74°11'19.28"E. It covers an area of about five acres, though it was much larger in the past. Over time, portions of the garden have been encroached upon from all sides. It remains a beautiful and well-maintained garden, featuring a Baradari (pavilion) at its center.

When I first visited it on 16 March 2011, the Baradari was in ruins. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I visited again on 22 July 2017, after a complete restoration (almost a reconstruction), it had been beautifully revived and now stands gracefully among the mature trees of the garden. I deeply appreciate the efforts of the concerned department for restoring such a historically important structure.


Baradari in Sheranwala Bagh. (22.07.2017)

Another view of the Baradari in Sheranwala Bagh. (22.07.2017)

Two sides of the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

Inside view of the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

Beautifully painted designs inside the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

 Wooden roof of the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

Another view of the decorative designs in the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

There are small rooms at the four corners of the Baradari. (22.07.2017)

A general view of the Sheranwala Bagh. (22.07.2017)

Another view of the garden. (22.07.2017)

Sahibzada Shah Sultan. (22.07.2017)

Tariq Amir. (22.07.2017)

Samadhi of Maha Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, as can be seen from the garden(22.07.2017) 

A section of the boundary wall of the Sheranwala Bagh. (22.07.2017)

A bastion on the boundary wall of the garden. (22.07.2017)

Baradari on 16.03.2011.

Baradai on 16.03.2017.

Gazetteer of the Gujranwala District, 1936, mentions the garden in the following words:
To the south of Gujranwala there are the Encmapming ground, the Sadar Police Station, the Government High School, the Mahan Singh Garden (containing the Estcourt Club and the Health Centre) and there are in the city the Islamia High School, the Government High School For Girls, the Khalsa Intermediate College, the Municipal Hospital For Women, the various Missionary Institutions, the Government Industrial School, the Post and Telegraph Offices, and the Cinemas etc. The principal buildings of architectural interest are the smadh of Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and a baradari in Mahan Singh's Garden. Close by is a lofty cupola, covering a portion of the ashes of the great ruler himsel. 
The Gazetteer refers to Sheranwala Bagh as the Mahan Singh Garden. I did not see any cupola in the garden. However, the Samadhi of Maha Singh still exists nearby and indeed has a lofty cupola. 

Almost every time, at the end of my posts about a historic building, I express my wish for the repair and restoration of that particular monument. However, I am happily concluding this post on a happy note, that it has probably been restored to its original beauty. Now, all it needs is a little care in the future as well.


Tariq Amir

January 27, 2018. 
Doha - Qatar 

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